TY - JOUR
T1 - Magnetic Resonance T1w/T2w Ratio in the Putamen and Cerebellum as a Marker of Cognitive Impairment in MSA
T2 - a Longitudinal Study
AU - Cuoco, Sofia
AU - Ponticorvo, Sara
AU - Bisogno, Rossella
AU - Manara, Renzo
AU - Esposito, Fabrizio
AU - Di Salle, Gianfranco
AU - Di Salle, Francesco
AU - Amboni, Marianna
AU - Erro, Roberto
AU - Picillo, Marina
AU - Barone, Paolo
AU - Pellecchia, Maria Teresa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2023/10
Y1 - 2023/10
N2 - The exact pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in multiple system atrophy (MSA) is unclear. In our longitudinal study, we aimed to analyze (I) the relationships between cognitive functions and some subcortical structures, such as putamen and cerebellum assessed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) ratio, and (II) the neuroimaging predictors of the progression of cognitive deficits. Twenty-six patients with MSA underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, motor examination, and brain MRI at baseline (T0) and 1-year follow-up (T1). Patients were then divided according to cognitive status into MSA with normal cognition (MSA-NC) and MSA with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). At T1, we divided the sample according to worsening/non worsening of cognitive status compared to baseline evaluation. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (β = − 9.45, p =.02) and T1w/T2w value in the left putamen (β = 230.64, p =.01) were significant predictors of global cognitive status at T0, explaining 65% of the variance. Logistic regression analysis showed that ∆-values of WM density in the cerebellum/brainstem (β = 2188.70, p =.02) significantly predicted cognitive worsening at T1, explaining 64% of the variance. Our results suggest a role for the putamen and cerebellum in the cognitive changes of MSA, probably due to their connections with the cortex. The putaminal T1w/T2w ratio may deserve further studies as a marker of cognitive impairment in MSA.
AB - The exact pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in multiple system atrophy (MSA) is unclear. In our longitudinal study, we aimed to analyze (I) the relationships between cognitive functions and some subcortical structures, such as putamen and cerebellum assessed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) ratio, and (II) the neuroimaging predictors of the progression of cognitive deficits. Twenty-six patients with MSA underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, motor examination, and brain MRI at baseline (T0) and 1-year follow-up (T1). Patients were then divided according to cognitive status into MSA with normal cognition (MSA-NC) and MSA with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). At T1, we divided the sample according to worsening/non worsening of cognitive status compared to baseline evaluation. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (β = − 9.45, p =.02) and T1w/T2w value in the left putamen (β = 230.64, p =.01) were significant predictors of global cognitive status at T0, explaining 65% of the variance. Logistic regression analysis showed that ∆-values of WM density in the cerebellum/brainstem (β = 2188.70, p =.02) significantly predicted cognitive worsening at T1, explaining 64% of the variance. Our results suggest a role for the putamen and cerebellum in the cognitive changes of MSA, probably due to their connections with the cortex. The putaminal T1w/T2w ratio may deserve further studies as a marker of cognitive impairment in MSA.
KW - Cerebellum
KW - Cognitive impairment
KW - Magnetic resonance imaging
KW - Multiple system atrophy
KW - Putamen
KW - T1w/T2w
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85136305040&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s12311-022-01455-8
DO - 10.1007/s12311-022-01455-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 35982370
AN - SCOPUS:85136305040
SN - 1473-4222
VL - 22
SP - 810
EP - 817
JO - Cerebellum
JF - Cerebellum
IS - 5
ER -